Greater Celandine

Uses

Principal Proposed Uses

Other Proposed Uses

The herb greater celandine (
Chelidonium majus
), a relative of the poppy, contains an orange-colored juice that has been used medicinally for thousands of years. It has been applied topically for eye and skin problems, and taken internally for bronchitis, jaundice, indigestion, cancer, and whooping cough. However, traditional herbalists appear to have missed one major problem with this herb: it can damage the liver.

What is Greater Celandine Used for Today?

In Europe, it is commonly believed that minor gall bladder problems are a cause of indigestion. On this basis, celandine was approved in 1985 by
Germany’s Commission E
as a treatment for what we would call
dyspepsia
, or non-specific digestive distress. While there is some supporting evidence for this use,
4-6
in view of the safety risks associated with celandine (see
Safety Issues
), we do not recommend using it for this purpose (or any other).

Very preliminary evidence hints suggests that constituents of celandine may also have cancer preventive and antimicrobial properties.
7-9

Celandine has also traditionally been advocated as a topical treatment for
warts
. However, there is no reliable evidence that it is effective for this purpose.

Dosage

A typical dosage of greater celandine extract is standardized to supply 4 mg of the substance chelidonine three times daily.
4
However, we suggest that you do not use it at all. (See Safety Issues.)

For the treatment of warts, greater celandine is applied directly to the wart and allowed to dry there.

Safety Issues

Numerous case reports indicate that use of celandine can lead to severe, potentially fatal liver injury.
10-14

It should be noted that most people who use greater celandine do not develop liver problems. It may be that certain individuals have an especially high level of susceptibility. However, since it is not possible to determine in advance who would be at risk, we recommend that until more is known the internal use of greater celandine should be avoided entirely.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.